6 Hudson Valley Woodworkers Crafting Contemporary Furniture and Home Goods

Jim Torrey, founder of Rivertown Woodcraft, transitioned from a full-time product development role at Meijer to pursue his passion for woodworking and entrepreneurship. His journey began by cold-calling Grand Rapids breweries, offering custom cheeseboards and beer flights. This initial outreach led to a significant commission from Søvengård, a local establishment, for whom he crafted the bar, cubby walls, and other key woodworking elements during its initial construction. The success of this project, combined with a steady stream of residential custom furniture orders, prompted Torrey to leave his corporate job and launch Rivertown Woodcraft full-time. The expansion of Søvengård provided another large-scale project, solidifying his decision to dedicate himself entirely to his craft. Rivertown Woodcraft, located at 2456 Plainfield Ave NE, officially opened on June 22. The business operates with a multi-faceted approach, dedicating the front 25 percent of its space to a retail storefront. Here, customers can find a variety of custom products, including bespoke furniture pieces, cheeseboards, 'take & make' kits, and woodworking plans. The retail area aims to provide accessible entry points for individuals interested in woodworking and custom home decor. Beyond retail, Rivertown Woodcraft emphasizes community engagement and skill-sharing through its woodworking workshops. Torrey initiated these workshops to introduce people to the craft of woodworking, offering hands-on experiences. The first workshop, scheduled for July 9, focuses on creating beer flight boards, where participants can customize and finish their own pieces with pre-prepared wood. While participants primarily work with smaller hand tools, there are opportunities to use equipment like drill presses and band saws under supervision. Initially, workshops are held on Monday nights, with plans to expand to weekend sessions and include other projects like tea light holders and plant stands, with costs ranging from $50 to $100. For more involved projects, Torrey plans to offer one-on-one workshops, allowing individuals to work on specific custom items like rocking horses. The rear section of the establishment serves as Torrey's personal workshop, where he continues to design and build custom pieces for both residential and commercial clients. The location choice was deliberate, aiming for a walkable neighborhood adjacent to a local eatery, Fat Boy, fostering a sense of community and accessibility. Torrey welcomes walk-in visitors with small repair needs or those seeking parts for their own projects, such as hairpin legs or wood cookies for small tables. He encourages individuals to undertake their own woodworking endeavors. Torrey's business model anticipates an even split between retail and education-based activities and custom furniture orders. His custom furniture offerings include headboards, end tables, and distinctive fault-line tables made with live-edge wood. He also takes on larger, more intricate commissions, such as the walnut staircase for a home's wine cellar that was in progress during a GR|MAG visit. His first-year goals include refining the workshop programs, expanding retail product lines, and increasing custom orders. Long-term, he aims to enlarge the retail footprint to 50 percent of the store and establish a separate, offsite workshop dedicated solely to custom furniture production. Torrey's background in industrial design from Western Michigan University, where he specialized in furniture design and construction, ignited his passion for woodworking. A graduation gift of a table saw allowed him to begin making pieces for friends, investing subsequent earnings into more tools. The initial Søvengård project provided the capital to equip his workshop with advanced machinery. Torrey believes Rivertown Woodcraft aligns with Grand Rapids' rich furniture design heritage and caters to the millennial generation's preference for custom, unique products and DIY experiences, a trend he observed during his time at Meijer. He notes that the desire for handmade, personalized items is a significant driver, partly influenced by popular culture figures like Chip and Joanna Gaines, and people are willing to invest more for such distinct creations. #RivertownWoodcraft #CustomFurniture #DIYWorkshops #Woodworking #GrandRapids #LocalBusiness #HomeDecor #Craftsmanship #Entrepreneurship

Nick Hardrath, an urban woodworker and designer, operates his business, The Urban Craftsman, from a studio in Riverwest, where he transforms locally sourced urban tree slabs into custom furniture and home goods. His studio features an array of freshly milled wood slabs and a cabinet showcasing smaller items like charcuterie boards, bottle openers, and coaster sets. Hardrath and his team collaborate with clients on bespoke projects, such as an expansive dining table for Yaakov Cohen, crafted from two sequential urban walnut slabs measuring 5 by 11 feet. Hardrath's background includes a childhood spent building and remodeling homes with his general contractor father. He pursued industrial design at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, followed by nearly a decade in product design and development. His passion for furniture and gift making, initially a side venture, evolved into a full-time profession three years prior, prompting him to establish his dedicated workshop. The Urban Craftsman offers diverse custom woodworking services to both residential and commercial clients in Milwaukee. Hardrath's portfolio includes a variety of items such as picnic tables, dining tables, barn doors, and butcher block island tops, each unique in design. The studio welcomes the public Monday through Friday, fostering direct collaboration between customers and Hardrath. While residential clients typically approach Hardrath with specific project ideas, commercial clients, like bars and restaurants, often grant him creative autonomy within a defined budget and space. A notable example of his commercial work is the 20-foot-long tasting table at Central Standard’s Downtown Crafthouse & Kitchen, which was made from a tree that once stood at the historic Pabst Mansion. A core principle of Hardrath’s practice is the repurposing of existing wood resources. He emphasizes that salvaging these urban trees, which would otherwise be mulched or sent to landfills, significantly benefits the environment. Hardrath encourages local residents to save and utilize wood from trees that need to be cut down, advocating for the creation of deeply personal and bespoke items from these materials, thus promoting a sustainable and emotionally connected approach to woodworking. #UrbanWoodworking #CustomFurniture #WoodCraftsman #MilwaukeeDesign #SustainableDesign #BespokeWoodwork #HomeGoods #InteriorDesign #LocalCraftsmanship

JMP Wood, a family-owned business established in the 1970s in Brooklyn, New York, specializes in crafting custom stair parts. The company is renowned for its exceptional woodwork and meticulous attention to detail. Their process involves a combination of advanced computer-controlled tools and traditional wood-turning techniques to produce intricate and decorative elements for staircases. A significant component of their work involves creating balusters, which are decorative vertical supports that fill the space between the handrail and the stair tread or floor. The production of a baluster begins with selecting wood from JMP Wood's inventory, which is then cut to the required size. Each piece undergoes a thorough inspection for any defects such as cracks or imperfections before further processing. For efficiency in crafting multiple balusters, particularly for orders exceeding 20 pieces, JMP Wood utilizes Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. These machines are programmed with precise cutting coordinates, allowing them to replicate designs accurately and consistently, a process that would be considerably more time-consuming if done entirely by hand. However, for smaller orders of fewer than 20 pieces, the craftsmen at JMP Wood employ traditional hand-turning methods, showcasing their versatility and skill. After the initial shaping, the wood piece intended for a baluster is transferred to a CNC lathe machine. This specialized machine rotates the wood while a knife precisely cuts twisted designs into its surface, adding to the baluster's aesthetic appeal. Post-machining, each baluster is meticulously inspected for any remaining imperfections and then sanded to achieve a smooth finish. The creation of handrails follows a similar sophisticated process. A block of wood is prepared to the appropriate size and then digitally programmed using a 3D scanner. This scanner plays a crucial role in configuring the exact dimensions and curves required for the handrail. The data from the 3D scanner generates precise tool paths, guiding a five-axis CNC machine. A five-axis machine offers greater flexibility and precision, as its cutting tool can move in multiple directions, enabling complex cuts and shapes. Once the handrail is cut to form, it is detached from its support legs and undergoes a final sanding process. Upon completion of both balusters and handrails, the finished parts are carefully packaged and prepared for shipping. JMP Wood demonstrates considerable operational capacity, capable of processing between 20 and 100 custom orders weekly. This blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology allows JMP Wood to produce high-quality, custom staircase components efficiently, highlighting the artistry and engineering involved in each piece. #JMPWood #StaircaseDesign #Woodwork #CustomFabrication #CNCMachining #WoodTurning #Balusters #Handrails #HomeImprovement

The global woodworking market, valued at over $765 billion, presents a significant opportunity for individuals with a passion for crafting and an entrepreneurial mindset. Wood accounts for nearly 30% of the worldwide handicraft market, indicating a robust demand for wood-based products. This article explores various woodworking projects suitable for online sales, categorized by their application: home and decor, kitchen and dining, and outdoor and garden, as well as children's items and gifts. It also provides insights into the profitability of different projects, essential tools, and strategies for selling woodworking creations online. For home and decor, popular woodworking projects include wooden signs, picture frames, wooden art, and furniture. Wooden signs are versatile and can be customized for indoor or outdoor use, making them ideal for beginners, with low costs and easy shipping. Picture frames, also suitable for beginners, can be crafted from reclaimed wood, reducing material costs. Wooden art ranges from simple cutouts to elaborate sculptures, with costs varying based on complexity and materials. Furniture, while requiring intermediate to advanced skills, offers significant market potential, with wood products claiming almost 40% of the US furniture market. Costs for furniture can be moderate to high, but options like furniture flipping can reduce initial investment. In the kitchen and dining sector, wooden kitchen products such as cutting boards, coasters, utensils, and serving trays are highlighted. The kitchenware market is projected to reach over $25 billion by 2027. These projects generally require intermediate skills and moderate costs, with pricing varying based on material inputs. Wood boxes, from storage crates to ornate jewelry boxes, are another versatile project, with beginner-friendly options and low startup costs, especially when using repurposed materials like pallets. For outdoor and garden enthusiasts, birdhouses and planters are viable options. Birdhouses cater to a growing market of recreational birders, with projects ranging from beginner to intermediate skill levels and low to moderate costs. Planters, easily made from wood, can range from small succulent holders to large garden boxes, requiring beginner to intermediate skills and low to moderate costs. Wooden surfboards, while requiring advanced skills and higher material costs, address the consistent demand for surfing gear and offer an eco-friendly alternative to foam or plastic boards, allowing for premium pricing. Repurposed and scrap wood projects, such as planter boxes, decorative signs, and coffee tables made from wood pallets, offer a sustainable approach with low costs, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers willing to pay a premium for such products. For children and gifts, wooden blocks and toys are popular. Children's blocks, made from wood scraps, are beginner to intermediate friendly and low-cost, though they require adherence to safety standards for non-toxic finishes and appropriate sizing. Wooden toys, ranging from simple blocks to puzzles and chess sets, tap into a $40 billion annual market. These projects are intermediate in skill level and moderate in cost, with strict safety regulations requiring a Children's Product Certificate. To ensure profitability, it is essential to understand profit margins. Furniture brands, for example, typically have margins around 28.5%. The article identifies custom furniture, home decor and accessories, wooden toys, decorative wall signs, and birdhouses as high-margin items. Basic woodworking tools include wood, glue, handsaws, CNC machines, power drills, mallets, and safety gear. The process of selling woodworking projects involves choosing a trending product, identifying the target market through local research and craft fairs, building an e-commerce website, listing products with high-quality images and compelling descriptions, and driving traffic through marketing strategies. Utilizing analytics to improve business performance and exploring diverse sales channels, such as online marketplaces (Etsy, eBay), social media storefronts, and local events, are also crucial for success. Shopify is presented as a platform that facilitates online sales by offering tools for website building, payment processing, inventory management, and multi-channel selling. #WoodworkingProjects #OnlineBusiness #CraftsForSale #Ecommerce #HomeDecor #WoodenFurniture #DIYCrafts #SmallBusinessTips #SustainableCrafting

This article showcases six distinct interior design projects by local Rochester designers, highlighting their unique approaches to transforming living spaces. Each project demonstrates how designers blend client needs with creative vision to achieve functional and aesthetically pleasing outcomes. Bob Breissinger, owner of Designers Library, details a kitchen remodel in a Perinton ranch house. The original kitchen was dark and enclosed, prompting a complete overhaul. Breissinger's team removed soffits, gutted the room, and eliminated a wall between the dining room and den to create an open floor plan. This transformation allowed for two islands, a 36-inch stove, a prep sink, and various ovens. White perimeter cabinets, white and amber-gray granite counters, and glass-fronted, lit cabinets contribute to a light and airy feel. Walnut-stained oak floors were matched to existing den floors, creating a cohesive look. The project dramatically changed the home's feel and functionality, making it ideal for cooking and entertaining. Ayse Lewis, an interior designer based in Canandaigua and Rochester, shares her personal project: an 800-square-foot cottage on Canandaigua Lake that she transformed into a 2,000-square-foot, two-story home. Lewis, who always envisioned living on a boat, retained the original footprint due to legal requirements but maximized the lake views with numerous windows. Her design features a non-traditional nautical theme, incorporating colors from nature with touches of red and black. The master bedroom offers spectacular views, with a black-and-white zigzag rug evoking waves and pinkish-yellow lighting creating a sunset ambiance. The all-white, open-plan kitchen takes advantage of the lake views, designed to let natural outdoor colors infuse the space. Lewis emphasizes meaningful design that balances aesthetics with practicality, especially for a home frequently visited by grandchildren. Margit Jacobson, an interior designer and senior project manager at Leighton Design Group, discusses designing a grandchildren's suite in a Canandaigua Lake house. This project creatively utilized existing architectural elements like a pickled-wood ceiling, wood floors, and sloped roof angles to create specialized children's spaces. Jacobson focused on making the room functional and whimsical. She designed a reading nook with a daybed and open storage in a corner, alongside Dutch doors concealing a playroom. A built-in desk with a continuous paper scroll for art projects and a metal board above it offers creative outlets. The closet was converted into a nursery with wallpaper, built-in storage, and a chandelier, transforming it into a magical space. Jacobson highlights the satisfaction of seeing children actively engage with the room as intended. Robin Muto, owner of Robin Muto Interiors, addresses the challenge of merging disparate aesthetic preferences of a husband and wife in a Pittsford home. Muto, an interior and lighting designer, navigated the couple's preference for French Country (feminine) and industrial urban (masculine) styles. Through inspiration photos, she discovered common ground in the color gray and a rustic, warm aesthetic. The project, a whole-house interior design completed in two phases, prioritized the family room as a stylistic anchor. Muto opted for simplicity, focusing on color and texture rather than elaborate patterns. Elements like plain natural linen drapes, a traditional English sofa in linen velvet, a shabby-chic linen sofa, an industrial coffee table ottoman, and burgundy chairs were combined to create a handsome yet inviting space that satisfied both partners. Heather DeMoras, from Heather DeMoras Design Consultants, recounts the renovation of a 1901 Queen Anne home in Canandaigua. The goal was to preserve its Victorian charm while updating it for modern living. DeMoras conducted extensive research to ensure period appropriateness, incorporating Victorian and Arts & Crafts styles for a more casual feel. Period hardware, lighting from Historic Houseparts, and Bradbury & Bradbury wall coverings were selected, with colors inspired by the home's stained-glass windows. The kitchen was expanded by integrating the butler's pantry and a smoking room, featuring hidden appliances and custom cherry cupboards. Bathrooms incorporated Carrara marble, hand-painted subway tile, and oil-rubbed bronze fixtures. In the bedroom, a fabric matching the wall-covering was used for curtains around a bay window, creating a cohesive and anchored look. Jason Longo, founder of JDL Design, shares a career-defining project with a client in Henrietta. This client, a positive and resilient woman, sought a light, efficient, and eco-friendly home with warm colors after her husband's passing. Longo, who went full-time with his design company around this time, collaborated closely with her. The project involved improving the entry by creating a foyer and separating it from the new dining room (originally the living room) with a wall. The great room became the new living room. Longo reconfigured windows, added walls, and installed a flat wall of windows with an alcove in the dining room, alongside built-ins and an arch-top alcove. In the living room, square windows were replaced with a small arched window above a tiled fireplace, flanked by new windows. The client's trust allowed for significant structural changes. Longo reflects on her profound impact, as she validated his work and inspired him, even as she battled terminal cancer during the project's completion. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #KitchenRemodel #LakesideLiving #ChildrensRoomDesign #VictorianHome #DesignChallenges #ClientRelationships #SpaceTransformation